ORANGE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I Padrini di Antonello, a philanthropic group committed to supporting children's causes in Orange County, today announced the 8th annual 'An Evening Under the Stars' fundraiser netted over $175,000. More than 350 guests attended the event on Sunday, October 6h at Antonello Ristorante at South Coast Plaza Village.
Proceeds will benefit Kinship Center-Canyon Acres, a nonprofit agency that creates and supports permanent families for children, and Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC), a school and therapy center for children and young adults with special needs and other children's charities sponsored by I Padrini di Antonello. In addition, every year at the event I Padrini honors individuals with its Shining Star award for philanthropic efforts in the community. This year's recipients were distinguished Orange County benefactors S. Paul and Marybelle Musco.
Highlights of the event included a fabulous dinner of short ribs, paired with exquisite wines, and dancing under the stars to the sounds of Tino and his band. Top auction items included a four-day, eight-person, private-wine tour of Napa, an exclusive Mammoth Resort Stay and wine lots including limited release wines. As a special touch, the auctioned-off centerpieces included magnum bottles of wine featuring label artwork designed by children helped by the charity beneficiaries.
Erin Lastinger of the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation and Windell Stout, President of I Padrini, co-chaired the event. Event sponsors included Gemini Industries, TROY Group Inc., Harker, Campbell & Sage, LLP, Marconi Foundation for Kids, CommerceWest Bank, A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, California Sunset Escrow and Antonello Ristorante. Honored guests included The Honorable Kris Murray, Council Member, City of Anaheim, Former Mayor of Costa Mesa, the Honorable Peter Buffa, Former Mayor of Newport Beach, the Honorable Evelyn Hart, Former State Senator & Secretary of Education, the Honorable Marian Bergeson, and previous Shining Star award recipients, Jim and Ilene Harker, Antonio Cagnolo, and Dick Marconi.
"A huge thank you to the steering committee and all the sponsors and supporters who attended the event," expressed Windell Stout, President of I Padrini. "Because of everyone involved, I Padrini will be able to help change the lives of many children over the next year."
"It is so impressive and heartwarming to see so many dedicated community members come together in support of the important cause of caring for Orange County's most vulnerable," stated Erin Lastinger, event co-chair and Kinship Center leadership board member. "We are most grateful to the members of I Padrini for their generosity and commitment to making a difference in children's lives."
For more information, please visit www.kinshipcenter.org www.sldc.net
About I Padrini
I Padrini di Antonello is a group of businessmen who privately support children's causes and who have chosen to sponsor Kinship Center-Canyon Acres and SLDC.
About Antonello Ristorante
Celebrating its 33rd anniversary and recently voted Best Italian Food in Orange County by Golden Foodies, Antonello Ristorante has earned a sterling reputation for having served luminaries the world over including presidents, foreign dignitaries, movie stars, entertainers, industrialists and other leaders. Proprietor Antonio Cagnolo is a multiple winner of the Golden Scepter Award and Circle of Fame Awards, two of the most prestigious honors a restaurateur can receive. In addition, his devotion and time-honored commitment to charitable concerns have been recognized numerous times. Antonello Ristorante is located at 3800 Plaza Drive, at South Coast Plaza Village. Call (714) 751-7153 for reservations and visit www.antonello.com for more information.
About Speech and Language Development Center
Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC) serves nearly 300 students whose needs can't be met in other school settings. The students, six months to 21 years, have a variety of diagnoses, including a high percentage with Autism. In addition to the state-accredited daily school program, the Center provides all the necessary therapeutic services on campus. More than 50 school districts in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties send youngsters to the experts at SLDC.
About Kinship Center-Canyon Acres
Merged under Seneca Family of Agencies, a nationally accredited innovator in community, school, and family-based services, the Orange County programs of Kinship Center and Canyon Acres build and sustain healthy permanent families for abused, neglected, and emotionally traumatized children. Our Southern California branch will soon officially rebrand as Seneca Orange County, incorporating the established programs of both Kinship Center and Canyon Acres and serving more than 1,000 children in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties.